The friends called 911, and Clinton County sheriff's deputies were sent to the scene. Wilmington police were dispatched about two hours later.

"She took off running east across all four lanes on (state Route) 73 and from there, disappeared," said Mary Kay Vance, spokeswoman for Wilmington police. "The car turned around, went back searched for her, looked for her and then started to alert other people she was missing."

Vance said a passerby saw Pitzer running across the highway.

Pitzer was described as 5 feet tall, weighing 90 pounds with light colored hair. She was last seen wearing a black hooded zip-up sweatshirt, green shirt, dark jeans and boots. Family members said she is the mother of two boys.

"Her son's birthday was (Sunday), and we just want to bring her home," said her friend, Tammy Spencer.

Police said a pair of boots were found inside a retention pond near the Walmart in Wilmington off state Route 22/3, and they may be the boots Pitzer was wearing when she left the car.

A dive team from Loveland/Symmes Twp. searched the pond.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wilmington Police Department at 937-382-3833.